Soil.  It is everywhere.  We step on it, we drive on it, we even sleep on it, albeit indirectly.  Out of all the natural resources in our planet, soil is probably one of the most ignored elements.  We all know that the sun is important.  So are our oceans and our water supply.  The same is true with all living things as we are all connected in this planet.  But did you know that our soil is just like a living thing?  How much do we really know about soil?  How important is soil?

Soil is obviously important because we wouldn’t have anything to stand on without soil.  Without soil, we wouldn’t be able to plant trees, food crops hence, we wouldn’t be able to eat or have shelter to rest from the sun.  In short, our soil is just as important as any other element in our planet. We are all connected in this planet and our soil is one of the most basic elements in our lives.

Aside from providing for a place for seeds, plants and trees to grow our soil is a very important data gathering element in our planet.  Soil quality is measured to help scientist predict impending drought by measuring the soil’s capability to hold water during the dry season.  It can also tell if the area can withstand flooding.  The same is true when scientists are measuring the amount of chemicals and pH in the soil to tell if the area can still sustain healthy plant life.  In other words, our soil is like a measuring device that tells scientists the over all health of an area or a part of land.

Our soil is also a very big link in the chain of life and death in our planet.  Living things like animals, leaves, seeds and other organic matter decompose on the soil providing organic matter that fatten up the soil.  These in turn make plants grow healthier which in turn are eaten by animals that are eaten by humans.  The cycle resumes when the animal dies or something decomposes with a very big help from our soil.

So the next time you feel lower than dirt, think of how important our soil is and how big a contribution it gives to our environment by being just something we step on everyday!

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